USA FOOTBALL AND i9 SPORTS® PARTNER TO ENHANCE YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUES THROUGH THE FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT MODEL

INDIANAPOLIS – USA Football announced today a new partnership with i9 Sports®, the nation’s largest multi-sport provider focused solely on high-quality, community-based kids sports leagues. As the sport’s national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), USA Football will help power i9 Sports’ youth flag football offerings spanning multiple age and experience levels with progressive, age-appropriate skill instruction aligned with its Football Development Model (FDM).

The Football Development Model is the sport’s first long-term athlete development model designed to be a smarter and safer way to play and teach the game by reducing contact and teaching in a way that meets athletes where they are in their development. Coaches teach athletes based on their age, the skill they are learning and game type. Aligned with the USOPC’s American Development Model for healthier and smarter youth sport participation, this path offers young athletes more opportunities to enjoy the sport and choose the version of football that they want to play.

“We’re excited to work with a premier partner like i9 Sports, a leading provider of quality youth sports experiences for kids and families nationwide,” USA Football CEO & Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK said. “The i9 Sports Experience is built upon the same foundation of our Football Development Model: developmentally appropriate skill instruction, safety, inclusivity, and most importantly, fun. Affording kids the benefits of our FDM is consistent with the high standards i9 upholds for the good of young athletes who love to play our sport.”

“Our team is excited to establish this partnership with USA Football whose approach supports the best interests of youth athletes that love this sport. Working together with industry leaders, our goal is to provide the best youth sports experience we can for kids and communities across the country. USA Football and its Football Development Model aligns perfectly with that goal,” said i9 Sports Vice President of Operations CHRIS SNYDER.

i9 Sports offers three flag football formats (4v4, 5v5, 7v7) to fit varying age and skill levels. Each format builds upon the other, designed to progressively teach the game’s skills in alignment with athletes’ stage of athletic development. To learn more about i9 Sports’® flag football offerings, visit i9sports.com/flagfootball.

About USA Football: USA Football designs and delivers premier educational, developmental and competitive programs to advance, unify and grow the sport. As the sport’s national governing body, a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the United States’ sole delegate to the International Federation of American Football, USA Football assembles and directs U.S. National Teams for international competition. The independent non-profit also partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and athletics to support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players. Visit usafootball.com to learn more.

About i9 Sports: With over 3 million registrations in communities across the United States, i9 Sports® is the nation’s largest multi-sport provider focused solely on high-quality, community-based kids sports leagues. We offer recreational sports leagues, camps and clinics for boys and girls in today’s most popular sports such as flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, ZIP Lacrosse™ and volleyball. Our coaches and instructors provide age-appropriate instruction that’s both fun for kids and convenient for busy families. We are committed to our mission of Helping Kids Succeed in Life Through Sports.® That’s why we teach sportsmanship values alongside skills and drills every week. To us, it’s simply The Way Youth Sports Should Be.®  To learn more about i9 Sports youth sports programs and locations, visit www.i9sports.com. For more information on i9 Sports franchising opportunities, visit www.i9sportsfranchise.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

• Gehrig Parker, gparker@usafootball.com
• April Thomas, april.thomas@i9sports.com